Alternative to Windows 8

[eatthis]

No windows 9 they skipped that one, tbh I think I will wait a good few months for windows 10 after release - make sure it ultra stable first

dx12 should be the game changer as it can unlock the potential of the newer hardware

any graphics cards out now/this year that support dx12?

[joinerjohn]

any graphics cards out now/this year that support dx12?

Apparently DX12 is backward compatible, so graphics cards already in use should support it.

[Dave54]

Salesmen are selling. They probably know sweet FA about computers themselves. They tell you what they want you to know, which usually involves buying a new computer off them.
Another vote for OpenOffice here. (Although LibreOffice is apparently better in some ways I haven't tried it yet) Why anyone pays for MS Office when there is OpenOffice I don't understand.
Lots of people seem to have problems with McAfee. I've heard AVG free is good. I have used Comodo for some years and have had no problems.
If I just wanted to use Office, and surf the net etc. I'd use Linux and open source software and never look back.
The only reason I keep Windows is to play games.

[GabionWallExpert]

I find Windows 7 much more stable than Windows 8... Windows 7 also utilizes memory much better which in turn makes it run faster.
If you are looking to speed up your PC or Laptop, I would heavily recommend changing your hard disk drive to an SSD (solid state drive).
It will massively improve the performance of any legacy equipment you have.

PM me if you need any advice.

thanks

[BillyGoat]

Windows 8.1 has been refined in the way it manages and utilises memory compared to Windows 7, not the other way round.

The SSD upgrade I would agree with though.

BG

[gas4you]

Whilst recently on holiday I had occasion to use my daughters PC.

Didn't even notice it was Win 8.1 until I actually looked into it!

Totally surprised me.

[GabionWallExpert]

According to Microsoft, DirectX 12 will work with most existing gaming hardware, at least for the most part. Some DX12 features will still need updated GPUs, but all the basic features should work.

[dewaltdisney]

An update on this chaps, in the end I bought a new HP Pavilion 17" laptop with 8.1 Windows. After messing around getting all the stuff I wanted to transfer from my old laptop I ended up stripping the HDD out and used a caddy to connect it to the new one. This seemed all to work okay.

I have found my way around 8.1 now and I think the bit I hate the most is that stupid Apps screen that is probably only useful if you have 8.1 loaded on a tablet or a phone which seems unlikely as Android or Apple OS systems seem to be the norm?

Dumped the trial McAfee and loaded AVG which was quite easy. Loaded my MS Office 2007 okay. I cannot see how to create shortcuts to Office and Google Earth from my desktop?

I am not sure what this Cyberlink software is that HP is recommending I download. It seems to be a photo/disc burner utility but I am not sure if I have to pay or not?

Other than that I am getting on okay with it

DWD

[Bob225]

you can get a app that gives you a start button and boots you straight to desktop

http://www.classicshell.net/ or http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php there are many others available

as for programs just drag and drop on to the desktop or taskbar

[wine~o]

An update on this chaps, in the end I bought a new HP Pavilion 17" laptop with 8.1 Windows. After messing around getting all the stuff I wanted to transfer from my old laptop I ended up stripping the HDD out and used a caddy to connect it to the new one. This seemed all to work okay.

I have found my way around 8.1 now and I think the bit I hate the most is that stupid Apps screen that is probably only useful if you have 8.1 loaded on a tablet or a phone which seems unlikely as Android or Apple OS systems seem to be the norm?

Dumped the trial McAfee and loaded AVG which was quite easy. Loaded my MS Office 2007 okay. I cannot see how to create shortcuts to Office and Google Earth from my desktop?

I am not sure what this Cyberlink software is that HP is recommending I download. It seems to be a photo/disc burner utility but I am not sure if I have to pay or not?

Other than that I am getting on okay with it

DWD

Ignore Cyberlink (It's an HP thing) it's free (at least on my HP lappy) but doesn't do much that you won't find on windoze..